6 answers
Lorelei
Student
1
Question
Updated
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I want to become either a flight nurse or a flight medic. What are the best ways to get to this pathway?
I have been bouncing between a nursing degree or a paramedic degree, but cannot figure out which path would be better
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6 answers
Jeffery Teeters, NRP, FP-C
Paramedic
1
Answer
Bronaugh, MO
Updated
Jeffery’s Answer
Neither one is “better.” They’re very different careers, even though they overlap medically.
If you want more career options, generally better pay, more predictable working conditions, and the ability to move between specialties like ER, ICU, flight, OR, pediatrics, administration, etc., nursing probably gives you the broader path.
If you want to work in an uncontrolled environment, be the person making decisions with limited resources, handle emergencies from the first few minutes, and you like the autonomy and unpredictability of prehospital medicine, paramedicine may fit you better.
I’d also think about what kind of work actually makes you feel alive. Do you want a patient for 12 hours and get to see the progression of their care, or do you want 20–60 minutes with somebody on potentially the worst day of their life, figure out what’s killing them, stabilize them, and hand them off?
And don’t choose paramedic because it seems like the faster or easier route. It can be an incredible career, but the pay, sleep disruption, physical wear, and burnout can be brutal depending on where you work.
If you genuinely can’t decide, nursing probably keeps more doors open. But if you read all of that and the ambulance part is still screaming at you, you probably already know your answer.
If you want more career options, generally better pay, more predictable working conditions, and the ability to move between specialties like ER, ICU, flight, OR, pediatrics, administration, etc., nursing probably gives you the broader path.
If you want to work in an uncontrolled environment, be the person making decisions with limited resources, handle emergencies from the first few minutes, and you like the autonomy and unpredictability of prehospital medicine, paramedicine may fit you better.
I’d also think about what kind of work actually makes you feel alive. Do you want a patient for 12 hours and get to see the progression of their care, or do you want 20–60 minutes with somebody on potentially the worst day of their life, figure out what’s killing them, stabilize them, and hand them off?
And don’t choose paramedic because it seems like the faster or easier route. It can be an incredible career, but the pay, sleep disruption, physical wear, and burnout can be brutal depending on where you work.
If you genuinely can’t decide, nursing probably keeps more doors open. But if you read all of that and the ambulance part is still screaming at you, you probably already know your answer.
Thank you so much! I’ve been leaning towards crit care nursing, but I am getting my EMT license as a senior in high school and am really enjoying it. I would definitely prefer the flexibility (and better pay) of nursing as well.
Lorelei
Janice Armour
Registered Nurse
3
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Janice’s Answer
I think the best way to answer your question is to first ask yourself: What is it that you ultimately want to do, and what are your career goals? Nursing and being an EMT/paramedic are two different career paths, although both can lead to working in the flight medicine field.
If your goal is to become a flight nurse, you would generally need to earn your BSN and obtain your RN license. From there, you would typically need at least one year of acute-care experience, although many flight programs prefer several years of experience. Getting experience in an inpatient hospital setting, particularly in the ICU, CCU, or ER, can help prepare you and make you eligible for flight nurse positions.
If your goal is to become a flight medic, the pathway is different. You would generally start by becoming an EMT, gain field experience, and then complete an accredited paramedic program to become a licensed paramedic. From there, you can work toward gaining the experience and qualifications needed for a flight medic position.
Ultimately, the requirements can vary depending on where you want to work, since each state and country may have different education, certification, licensing, and experience requirements.
Good luck on your journey into the medical field! It’s an exciting path, and I hope you find the career that best fits your goals and passion. ❤️
If your goal is to become a flight nurse, you would generally need to earn your BSN and obtain your RN license. From there, you would typically need at least one year of acute-care experience, although many flight programs prefer several years of experience. Getting experience in an inpatient hospital setting, particularly in the ICU, CCU, or ER, can help prepare you and make you eligible for flight nurse positions.
If your goal is to become a flight medic, the pathway is different. You would generally start by becoming an EMT, gain field experience, and then complete an accredited paramedic program to become a licensed paramedic. From there, you can work toward gaining the experience and qualifications needed for a flight medic position.
Ultimately, the requirements can vary depending on where you want to work, since each state and country may have different education, certification, licensing, and experience requirements.
Good luck on your journey into the medical field! It’s an exciting path, and I hope you find the career that best fits your goals and passion. ❤️
Taylor Finn
EMS Education Coordinator
1
Answer
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Nursing will provide you with more career flexibility and opportunities (and potentially pay), this paired with ample time in the ED/ICU and a reliable reputation could lead you to flight nursing. The paramedic pathway will provide you opportunities to become a phenomenal patient assessor and treat life threatening problems like cardiac arrhythmias, tension pneumothorax, and advanced airway management. The medic route would be based in years of critical care transport and 911 call volume. I assume there would be a fair amount of overlap between the two positions, but both have different paths leading up to that point and could take you different places. The hours are something to consider as well, they often work long hours and that must fit into your life outside work.
Search for flight nurses and paramedics in your are (Linkedin) and shoot them a message.
Taylor recommends the following next steps:
Colleen Sanders, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
4
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Colleen’s Answer
Hello! Choosing nursing is a fantastic decision because it offers lots of career options and lets you explore different areas over time. Unlike paramedics, who mainly work in emergency services, nursing provides more flexibility.
To become a nurse, you'll need to attend a nursing program approved by the state board and accredited by a national organization like CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA. You can choose between practical nursing (LPN or LVN) and professional nursing (RN). Starting with an RN program is a great idea because it opens up more job opportunities. You can become an RN with either an associate's degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you're thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner, starting with a BSN is a smart move. Plus, hospitals often prefer nurses with a BSN!
To become a nurse, you'll need to attend a nursing program approved by the state board and accredited by a national organization like CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA. You can choose between practical nursing (LPN or LVN) and professional nursing (RN). Starting with an RN program is a great idea because it opens up more job opportunities. You can become an RN with either an associate's degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you're thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner, starting with a BSN is a smart move. Plus, hospitals often prefer nurses with a BSN!
Godfrey Magawe
Clinical officer nephrology
164
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
Great concern
First you need to get enrolled to a college that offers the course and persue nursing after completing the course,you get the license registration then proceed for internship and placement.
You also need to get hands of experience on emergency medicine since most medics attached to be flight nurse or flight medics handle medical emergency that might occur mso having good emergency training and experience is vital.
You then can be sending your application to different airlines that would require flight medics for any opportunities that may arise.however the medical emergency training and experience is key for such opportunities
First you need to get enrolled to a college that offers the course and persue nursing after completing the course,you get the license registration then proceed for internship and placement.
You also need to get hands of experience on emergency medicine since most medics attached to be flight nurse or flight medics handle medical emergency that might occur mso having good emergency training and experience is vital.
You then can be sending your application to different airlines that would require flight medics for any opportunities that may arise.however the medical emergency training and experience is key for such opportunities
Amanda Evans
Nurse, Administrative Supervisor
9
Answers
Huntersville, North Carolina
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hey dear, I work in a hospital right now and some of my friends work in flight med Center air. You would have to be a critical care nurse either coming from ICU or emergency medicine. It's very rewarding and structured. The worst part is only when it's bad weather and they can't fly in or fly out with the patients that are needing a higher level of care. I would recommend starting in the ED, getting quick exposure to various acute illnesses and understanding how to respond. You could even get started as a healthcare tech and be trained for that position. That may further guide your college and career path. Good luck with everything!